Strongside linebacker: James Allen and Sedrick Hodge give the Saints their most "veteran" presence at linebacker. Allen earned the starting position by emerging as a playmaker down the stretch last season. He forced two fumbles and recovered two. Allen is the kind of difference-maker the Saints want on the field. Hodge's strong suit is pass coverage, and he should see action on passing downs. Terrence Melton will try to earn a roster spot with his special-teams play.

No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Exp.

50 | James Allen | 6-2 | 245 | 4

52 | Sedrick Hodge | 6-4 | 246 | 5

51 | Terrence Melton | 6-1 | 235 | 2

GET TO KNOW:

Matthew Clark

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 5-8, 180

Experience: Rookie

Age: 22

College: UCLA

Hometown: Pacoima, Calif.

Did you know: Clark was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection by the conference coaches in 2004. He had 52 tackles and three interceptions. . . . A star running back in high school, Clark had back-to-back 300-yard rushing games for Cleveland High in Reseda, Calif. . . . Clark has four older sisters.

Clark says: "My highlight so far was a little breakup against Joe Horn on a curl route in seven-on-seven. I'd rather make plays against those big guys. . . . We don't get a lot of reps, like the ones and the twos do. But I'm trying to make the most out of the ones I do get. I'm trying to make an impression."

WHO'S HOT:

MIKE McKENZIE

McKenzie's first camp as a Saint has been stellar. The veteran, who signed a five-year contract Sunday, has produced at a high level in practice, playing tough in coverage and breaking up passes. And he's been visibly happy, chatting it up with the crowd and the media daily.

WHO'S NOT:

THE QUARTERBACKS

All four Saints passers struggled with their accuracy on an ugly day for the offense. Only a handful of downfield passes were completed; many were wobbly knucklers or balls in the dirt. Aaron Brooks and Kliff Kingsbury each threw an interception, and Todd Bouman fumbled two snaps.

PLAY OF THE DAY:

Kingsbury's interception took a long route into cornerback Fred Thomas' hands. The pass, intended for Keron Henry, was broken up by safety Mel Mitchell and bounced off linebacker Alfred Fincher's leg before Thomas snatched it out of the air.